Chinese Opera

Free to the Public

VPL @ the Alice Mackay Room  6:30pm

Guest speaker Alan Leung with be giving a free workshop on the dimensions of Chinese music. By taking a historical and a cross-cultural perspective, Alan will show the public elements of ancient Chinese music found in various world music. There will also be a short introduction to Chinese opera, which  reflects the ongoing collaborations between the Ensemble and local opera groups.

Opera samples will be performed by local opera singers accompanied by the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble.  The birth of Chinese opera which was catalyzed by Mongolian influences during the 12th Century, as well as the famous “battle” between kunqu and Beijing Opera in the late 18th Century, will be traced through interactive storytelling and musical demonstrations.